Charmaine Whitmore is currently fourth in the nation in blocks per set (1.56).

Sept. 25, 2013

By Taylor Wright | UTAMavs.com

ARLINGTON, Texas - UT Arlington volleyball returns to College Park Center to open Sun Belt Conference play Friday and Saturday.

The Mavericks (7-6) face University of Louisiana at Monroe (4-12) on Friday at 7 p.m. before taking on University of Louisiana at Lafayette (10-4) on Saturday at 7 p.m.

UTA is coming off a 2-1 weekend at the Black and Gold Challenge in Boone, N.C. The Mavericks defeated former Western Athletic Conference foe Denver (3-2) and East Carolina (3-1), but fell to tournament host Appalachian State (3-1).

Seniors Shelby Dickson (outside hitter) and Charmaine Whitmore (middle blocker) were named to the Black and Gold Challenge All-Tournament Team. Whitmore currently sits fourth in the nation in blocks per set (1.56).

UT Arlington leads the all-time series against ULM 38-2. Both losses to the Warhawks came in 2005 in a home-and-home series (3-1 and 3-2). The Mavericks also led the all-time series against UL Lafayette, 9-0, with the last victory (3-0) over the Ragin’ Cajuns coming in Arlington in 2011.

Friday’s match against ULM marks the first competition for UT Arlington in the Sun Belt since joining the conference in July. Live stats and video streaming will be available for all home matches at College Park Center.